Device for measuring lengths of pipes



- 622,908 March 29, 1927.- G. w; HALL n DEVICE FOR MEASURING LENGTHS oFPIPEs Filed April 2g, 192e 4 sheets-Sheet 1 ,I N VEN TOR.

TORNEY.

DEVICE FOR MEASURING LENGT Filed April 28, 1926 HS OF PIPES iSheets-Sheet 2 INI/ENTOR. y Mw.

l March 29, 1927. G W. HALL DEVICE FOR MEASURING LENGTHS OF PIFES vFiled-April 28. 1926 iSheets--Sh-@e I5 INVENTo vBY A ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

`UNITED vSTATES GEORGE W. HALL, OF HARTFORDQCONNECTICUT.

DEVICE FOR MEASURING LENGTHS OF PIPES.

Application led April 28,

This invention relates to improvements in levices for measuring lengthsof pipes.

An object of the present invention is `to accurately determine thelengths of the different pieces of pipes that are used by steam ittersin piping a building when steam or hot water is used for heatingpurposes.

The present practice usually followed is to make a measurement for asingle piece of pipe, then cut it ofi' to that measurement, next threadthe ends and fit it in place. This operation is not only slow but oftentimes it is inaccurate, especially when unskilled labor is employed.

An object of my improvement is to provide a device, or devices wherebyaccurate measurements of distances of center lines and points of thepiping system may be made for the entire piece of work at one time,then, from these measurements cut all of the different lengths of piecesof pipes at one operation. The threads may next be formed on all of thepieces at one opera- V all in place in the building.

This improvement therefore does away with the necessity of the separateoperations of first measuring, then cutting, then fitting each piece inplace. It is therefore designed to first make all of the measurements,then all of the cutting and threading, and finally tting all of thepieces in place.

In general, it comprises devices that may be readily attached to orbetween the stringers, or joists, of the flooring -of a building wherethe centers of the pipe lines are to be located and with slidable blocksthereon which may be placed and clamped to correspond With the centerlines of the pipes when arranged horizontally. It also comprises devicesfor accurately locating the center lilies of vertically arranged pipeswhich are to pass through openingsv in a floor. l

These and other objects will appear in thc body of the specilication andwill be pointed out specifically in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of the piping and illustrating themethod of mali:- ing measurements at a corner.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the riser and return pipes from a boiler incombination with my device which is attached to the floor joists orbeams which are shown in full lines.

tion, then fit the different lengths of pipes 1926. SeralNo.105,149.

Fig. 3 is a detail side view of that part of my device which is used inan opening of a floor for locating the vertical centers.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the device shown attachedto and between two of the joists or floor stringers.

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5 showing a slight change.

F ig. 7 is a detail view of the clamp for the structure shown in Fig. 5on the line 9-9.

Fig. 8 is a detail view on the section line 10-10 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of one of the corner pieces showing theslidable block members on the rods which are attached to the two arms ofthe corner pieces.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of the tape clamping members.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of that part of the device for locating thecenter lines of vertically disposed pipe lines which extend through thefloor, or, within a partition.

Fig. 12 is a modification of the bracket member for clamping to a floorjoist or Stringer, or other part of the building.

Fig. 13 is a detail View of the clamping device for securing steel tapestogether. A

Fig. 14 is for extension members for the construction shown in Fig. 3,and

Fig. 15 is a detail View of one of the clamping rectangular shapedblocks.

Fig. 16 is a view of the general plan of piping.

Fig 16A is a detail of one of the short pipe connections. f'

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the outer wall or frame work of a building, illustratincf aportion of the foimdation-wall. 2 and r designate two of the radiatorsin dotted lines thatare to be piped. 9 the heater, either steam or hotwater. l() and 11 (see Fig. 5) designate two members that are designedto be adjusted longitudinally or relative to each other for fittingshown. The member 10 is formed with an opening to receive the clampingbolt 12 and the other member 11 with notches 13 also to receive theclamping bolt. 14 is a thumb nut on the bolt 12 for clamping the members10,.and 11 together after adjustment, a detail `of which is shown inFig. 7. The vmembers 10 and 11, in Fig. 5 are each formed with sharpprojections 17 for entering the between the stringers, as

Wood of the floor stringers or joists 18 and 19, the Hoor beingindicated bythe numeral 20. In Fig. 6 the member 10 is sharpenedas shownand the member 11 isrof the'saine construction. In practice the members10 and 11 are tipped atari-angle' to` each other, like a toggle joint,and then brought down into alignment with each other, as shown, wherebythe sharp points 17-.Will enterA the ivo'od. This clamping. device isalso shown inFigs. 1 and 2 on a smaller scale. Slidably located in themembers 10 and 11 are` the vertically arranged rods 21 and 22 which areclamped in place with the set screws 23 and 24. Adjustably supported onthe vertically arranged rods 21 and122 is a horizontal rod 25 by meansofthe clamping blocks and .set screws 26 and 27 and slidably mounted. ontherod 2,5 are the blocks 28. 29 is an L shaped threaded'set screw forattaching the end. ring of the tape measure 38. 84 is` the riser pipeand is the return pipe of the heater 9. Located on each of these pipesaregadjustable clamps 86 and 87 lWhich are similar'tothe constructionshown at 28 and 31. 88' and 39 indicate the tivo center lines of pipeshown in'Fig. 1 which are to be connected with tlie pipes 40 and 41 bymeans of the corner vconstruction shown in Fig. 9. In practice theclamping construction shown in Fig; 5 by the numerals 10 and 11 isattached to the floor joists 18' and 19 as shown in Fig. 1 in'dotted.`lines and the angular or corner shaped 'member 42is attached to thedependingrod 21. Cdecured to the angular shaped member42 by means oftheset-'screw 43`is a. rodl43f having the adjustable tape attaching blocks44'and 45p With the 'angular shaped setscrews 46 and 47. for clampingthem in place. Secured to the angular shaped member 42, is a rod 48, bymeans of the setscreW 49.' Located onthe rod 48 are twosli'dable clamps50 and 51. (See Fig. 1.) Attached to the joists or stringers 19 and52iat their opposite ends are the joist attaching members 10 and 11. Therod memn ber 25 isv attached to these members by means ofthe dependingrods 21 and 22 'as before. The slidable blocks 28 and. 31 onthe rod 25,and, 44 and 45 on the rod` 43 Withtheir L shaped clamping set screws 28and 81 on the rod 25 and46 and 47' on the rod 48f serve' for attachingand locating the tape lines which Will exactly eorresponduitli theposition of the center lines of'the pipes 238 and 39 when installed.`The tape lines which arel attaehed'to and'eonneet the adjustable blocks36'and50, and 87 an'd'51 correspond to the centers ofthe pipe lines 40and"41 of the-ilow and return pipes 84 and 35 ofthe boiler9:Thedimensional lines and 54 Will therefore be the distances of the'pipeslea-ding from the riser `34 and-return 35 to the-'pipes 88 and 39. Thedimensional line 55j Wi'llb'e the dist ance' fromi 'the flow pipe V'39to the centerofthe opening 56 in the floor. (See Fig. 1.) rlhis openingis shown in Fig. Sat the number 56. In order to accuratelydetermine'this vertical center line the construction shown in Figs. 8and 4 is employed which. comprises the slidable spider and cone shapedelements 58 and 59. These elements are shaped, as shown, and lit intothe floor pipe opening 56. 6() and 61 are slijdablebloclts for retainingthe spider shapedelements in ther opening 56 and on the depending rod 62which extends below the iioorinto the basement. Attached to the rod 62arethe horizontally arranged or extensionrods 63 and 64 by means of the'com necting block 65 and the set screw 66'. The short 'dimensionalline'6'7 will therefore represent thel distance of the' short pipe fromthe opening 56 tothe flow pipe'38 :of radiator 2 in Fig. 1. 68represents the' opening through Which'the flow' pipe to the radiator 2passes. Secured in the openings G8 is the structure just referred ltoinI connection with Figs. 8 and^4.` The dimensional line 69 is thereforethedistanceI froml the vertical pipe in they ope-ning 68' to' the centerof theilow pipe 38. The same operation is earried'out inmeasuring thepipe connectionsl for radiator 7 byemployingy the construction' shown inFigs.v 8, 4, and 14 and the dimensional lines` TO and 71 will thereforerepresent the distance fromr the tl'oiv pipe 38'to the opening 72of thisradiator'. Dimensional line 755. represents the lengtlr of pipe from theflou' pipe 40 to inleti'iseipipe inl opening 68; Di mensional line`74 isthe distance of return pipe-39 from radiator 7` to vertical opening 56.Ttlesignates'the dimensional line from the returnpipe 41 to the inletotthe boiler 9. This distance is then measured by placing a tape line onrthe hook members Z6 and 77.' 78* is the dimension of the riser pipe 8()which is obtained by attaching a tape line to the slidable blocksI 86'and 79 on the pipe 80.

For thev purpose of accruetelf,Y makiig these'measurements clamps 81shown in Fig. 10 areemploy"ed4 Thee .l are 'fi-med with a groove Theseclamps are slipped over the different rods for clamping a tape measureto the The end e'e of a tape measure is slipped over the L. shajred setscrews as 46 and 4T. shown in Fig. 1, n-'hileits other end is clamped tea rod or bar bythe clamp 81. The clamp 83 shown in Fig. 18 is forclamping` together tuo taj es Where they cross as at 84 in Fig Thedimensional line'85 represents the diatance from the outlet of radiatorT tothe return pipe 41. Referring to Fig. 12.' 86 designates an angularshaped clamp which isthreaded for attachment to a joist 87 forsupporting a bracket'88v and verticle rod 89. 90 is aset screwr forsecuring the rod 89 to the bracket 88. The rod 89 isunderstood to beused the same as the other rods on which the slidable blocks as 44 and45 are placed with the hooks 46 and 47 to which the tape lines areconnected, for making measurements of the different lengths oi pipes.

Referring to Fig. 11 the rod 8O may be understood as projecting from thefloor below as in Fig. 91 is understood to reprei sent a pipe reducingconnection for the pipe 91. The block 44 is then raised or lowered onthe rod 8O to the correct position. A tape is attached to the hook 46and measurements made as before.

The device is used as follows: The person who is to make themeasurements first takes the floor plan of the building to be piped andnumbers all of the different pipe lines thereon by suitable designatingcharacters as for example No. 1, L. M., left main; No. 1, L. R., leftreturn; No. 2, L. R.; No. 3, L. R.; No. 4, L. R., etc.; No. 2, L. M.;No. 3, L. M.; No. 4, L. M. ctc; meaning respectively the differentlengths ot pipes -for the left risers and lett mains. The person whomakes the measurements therefore places the dimensions on thesedifferently numbered sections of lengths of pipes. vThe same numberingis carried out on the right hand side of the heater 9 as for exampleshown in Fig. 16, namely No. 2, R. R.; No. 3, R. R.; No. 4, R. R.; No.5, R. R.; etc., and No. 2, R. M.; No. 3, R. M.; No. 4, R. M.; and No. 5,R. M., etc. These numbers are understood to represent the respectivenames of lengths of pipes for the different connections on a plan of thebuilding. The measurements when made are placed on these designated ornumbered pipe sections see Fig. 16. The horizontal pipe lengths for mainand return of each of the radiators as 2 and 7 are shown in Figs. 16 and16A. The radiators are understood to be suitably numbered as 2, 3, 4,etc. Then, when the measurements are made as described they areindicated on the plans of each piece or length of pipe for each radiatorConnection. The method and apparatus herein described therefore permitsvery accurate measurements to be made oi all of the pipe connections atone operation. Then all of the dittt'erent pieces to be cut and threadedat one operation; then all ot the piping may be installed.

It is to be understood that the rods 21, 22, 25, 43, 61, 62, 63, and 64are preferably square or rectangular in cross section, and that theslidable blocks 28, 31, 44, 45, 60 are formed with corresponding shapedopenings slightly larger for slidable movement on these rods to preventrotation of the blocks.

The openings between the plates of the spider shaped elements 58 servethe purpose of passing the tape measure through the floor and accuratelymeasuring the distance 65 from the pipe lines 38 and 39 to the point ofconnection with the radiators or 1n other Words the length of therisers.

What I claim is:

1. A device for the purpose described comprising a plurality of memberswhichk are adjustable relative to each other, means for adjustablysecuring the same together, the ends of the members each havingsharpened points for engaging the floor joists of of a building forretaining the adjustable members in place, depending rods on the saidmembers, a transversely disposed rod on the depending rods, slidableblocks on the said transversely disposed rod, set screws for securingthe blocks to .said transversely disposed rod, the set screws beingformed for attaching the ring ends of a tape line thereto, whereby whenal plurality of said structures are attached, as described, the centerlines of piping installation may be located and their lengthsdetermined.

2. In a device for determining the lengths of different-,pieces of pipesfor pipe littings which consists in means for attachment to the floorjoist members of a building, slidable blocks on the means which areattached to the joist members and designed to be located in positionswhich correspond With the pipe centers, and means for securing theslidable blocks to the said attachable means, said blocks being formedwith hook shaped portions for attaching tape lines thereto, Wherebylthetape lines may be located in the center lines of the pipe fittings, asdescribed, and the lengths of pieces of pipes determined.

3. Means for determining the lengths of pipe fittings which comprises incombination, devices for attachment to the floor part of a building,depending rods secured to the devices, a rod adjustably supported by thesaid rods, slidable devices on the last mentioned rod, an angular shapedmember secured to one of the de ending rods, rods attached to the arms othe said angular member, slidable blocks on the rods which are att-achedto the angular member, hook means on the blocks .tor attaching tapelines thereto, whereby said lines maybe located in the centerlines ofthe pipe fittings and their lengths determined.

4. A device for locating the center line of a pipe Which comprisesmembers for attachment to a part of the building, one of the membershaving an opening and the other slots, a bolt in the opening and one ofthe slots, depending rods attached to the members, a horizontal rodattached to the depending rods, slidable blocks on the horizontallydisposed rod, and hooks on the blocks.

GEORGE W. HALL.

